Flying V’s Hat Trick: Canucks Bow to Kings in Shootout

Can’t win in Cali

The Los Angeles Kings took a rough road game to the Vancouver Canucks last night, controlling play and pushing the pace in a 3-2 shootout victory at Rogers Arena.

The loss to the Kings was the second straight game given up to a visiting California team after the Anaheim Ducks took it to Vancouver in a two-goal loss over the weekend.

The Hat Trick

Luongo Loses Duel

Roberto Luongo did his best to keep the Canucks in the game once again on Tuesday but was overrun by visiting skaters in his second consecutive loss.

Luongo stopped 31 of 33 shots in the defeat and was again eclipsed by the visiting goaltender’s superior numbers.

Jonathan Quick stopped 39 of 41 in the victory and was victorious in the shootout stopping Cody Hodgson and Mason Raymond in the first two rounds.

Voice of Vigneault

After Vancouver’s frustrating performance against the Anaheim Ducks over the weekend, it was concerning to see the Canucks come out with another weak effort to start the game Tuesday against the Kings.

Ryan Kesler again struggled to connect with his linemates and appeared frustrated Tuesday following the non-spat between him and Head Coach Alain Vigneault earlier this week.

While Kesler and the Canucks failed to follow the advice of their coach heading into Tuesday’s game, a first intermission motivational speech may have saved a point against the Kings.

Canucks Bow to Kings in Shootout

Williams Winning

While the Canucks responded to Alain Vigneault’s locker room rant with a stronger second period, Justin Williams’ 9th goal of the season set the home team back to square one in a frustrating affair.

It took Vancouver almost a full period to respond to Williams’ second period power play goal with a tally of their own to tie the game, but the pass was worth the wait.

Jannik Hansen set up David Booth with a sublime seeing-eye pass that shot through legs and sticks within the Kings’ crease to find Booth’s blade and tie the game early in the third period.

V’s Thoughts

The Canucks brought another poor effort to the ice Tuesday against the Kings and were lucky to walk away from Rogers Arena with a point.

While some fans were quick to blame Roberto Luongo for his weak showing in the shootout, his performance in the first two periods earned the Canucks any chance at a single point in the first place.

Coach Vigneault must motivate his team to bring a better effort to the ice on Saturday against the Sharks.

Quote

“Good thing Lu was there to make some big saves otherwise it could have been five or six nothing after the first.” Alex Burrows acknowledged his goaltender’s performance in Tuesday’s tough game against the Kings.